Skip to main content
Wednesday, November 11, 2026Nov 11
Subscribe
All Sections
Search
More

Retired Air Force major lands close to home

United States Air Force Major Cecil B. Smith, RET, 89, holds a photo of himself and his brother, Lt. Arthur D. Smith, left, shaking hands at RAF Station in Sculthorpe, England, in 1954. The two brothers were 6-foot 6, and 6-foot 3 respectively.
United States Air Force Major Cecil B. Smith, RET, 89, holds a photo of himself and his brother, Lt. Arthur D. Smith, left, shaking hands at RAF Station in Sculthorpe, England, in 1954. The two brothers were 6-foot 6, and 6-foot 3 respectively. United States Air Force Major Cecil B. Smith, RET, 89, holds a photo of himself and his brother, Lt. Arthur D. Smith, left, shaking hands at RAF Station in Sculthorpe, England, in 1954. The two brothers were 6-foot 6, and 6-foot 3 respectively.

By Jay Greeson 4 min read

photo Major Cecil B. Smith, RET, 89, talks about flying the F-105 airplane during his time in the Air Force.

BIO

Name: Cecil B. SmithAge: 89Branch of the military: U.S. Air ForceYears of Service: 1948-1968

View our 21 Veteran Salute page

Cecil B. Smith was born about a mile from his perch on the front porch of his home in Spring City, Tennessee.

“Yep, born right over there – March 9, 1929,” the 89-year-old said, pointing a long finger over his right shoulder. “It’s not far at all.”

Distance is relative for Smith. It has to be.

Smith joined the Air Force not long after graduating from Spring City High in 1946. He spent a year at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, but money ran short and his desire for the next thing was only growing.